The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-30
THE DISPUTED SEATS.

An Exciting Time Will Result if Voorhees,
Does What He Says He Will
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Nov. 90 There are conflicting
stories in circulation tonight in regard to the
attitude of Senator Riddleberger. of Virginia
toward the disputed election of Judge Turpie, of
Indiana. tits said by Democrats that at a eau
Gus of their Senator'S. yesterday. assurances
were given that Mr. Riddleberger would vote to
seat Turpie; Republicans say, however. that, so
far from Riddlebereer having indicated that he
would vote to seat Turpie, he has intimated
that he will stand by his party if it comes to
partisan action, but that he believes there not
prima facie case in the credentials of Turpie.
and, therefore the credentials should be referred
to the committee, and he should stay out of
his seat until regular procedure is taken. This
evenings local papers anticipate that Mr.. Turpie
will not be sworn in next Monday, and that
he will be asked to stand aside until tho COM
mittee on privileges and elections have made an
investigation into his election. The Star says
that Mr.. Turpie has regularly drawn his pay
United S tates Senator upon the certificate Of
the President pro tempore of the Senate (Mr. In
gals) since the 4th of March last and that the
certification was made because there appeared
contestant for Turpie's seat and therefore il
was concluded that he was entitled
to his pay. Democrats seem to take
a good deal Of consolation from the fact
that Republican presiding officer has certified
to Turpie's payroll. Republicans, however do
not consider this Of any significance whatever.
it being due solely TO ignorance the part of
the presiding officer of the fact that there was q
contest of Turpie's seat. It has always been
the custom TO pay q Senator or member of fhf
House. who holds certificate from Governor
the salary which would 60 TO him if he were
regularly elected, until it is decided definitely
th at he is not entitled to seat In some in
stances members of the House. notably in the
case of Richardson, of South Carolina,
have been paid as much as $4,000 for /.
two years services, when at the last moment
the House has decided that else
really entitled to the pay. In the Forty-seventh
Congress. towards the close of the session,
Smals. rhe colored member, was declared TO bs
really the man who had been elected. He was
not seated until the illegally holding the
seat had drawn nearly eighteen months pay;
vet Smalls was paid for the entire time, and the
man who had occupied his position was never
asked to refund.
Senator Voorhees, has reiterated his declara-
tion that he will object to the swearing in OF
every Republican Senator until the Turpe case
is finally disposed of. Should he do
this. it would lead to objections
the remaining Democratic Senators elect, and
scene of great confusion and excitement would
follow. At present the Senate consists Of
twenty-five Republicans and twenty-fo Demo-
Gratis, exclusive Of Riddeber The Senator
from Virginia, in nearly every instance. has
acted with his party, and there Is reason,
far learn, for his following his usual
bent in this instance. Including VIM. Z.
Chandler who was chosen to fill unexpred
term. twenty four SenaFcrs-elect will present
themselves TO be sworr -. Until they take the
oath of Office, which must be administered by the
presiding officer in the presence of the Senate.
they cannot take any part il the proceedings.
and therefore all questions that may arise be-
fore their admission must be decided by the fifty
Senators who hold over, leaving Riddleberger
able make a tie at any time Should such
mission of Turpie, Riddleberger would have the
key in his hands. The Republican Senator's
elect who will apply to be sworn In. include some
of the oldest and ablest of the body. OF the
fourteen, seven succeed themselves. namely:
Aldrch, Dawes Edmunds. hale. Hawey, Saw
yer and Sherman. OF the twelve Democrats
TO be in, only four old
Senators-Coc kerell. George German and Gray.
As Senators called alphabetically in squads
of fours TO the pulpit of the z resident pro tenn
very last the roll os all the Senators-elect.
and Mr.. Voorhees, will have to object other
Senators before Turpie Is objected 10, or lose
his chance of making the disturbance he prornis-
1t would be a rather unusual If not ludi-
crous. sight to a great debate in the Senate
with Edmnnds. Dawes. Hale and Sherman un-
able to participate in II; but this 10 net among
the improbabiiites
in the House to the swearing in of Mr. Carlisle,
but it is hardly probable that any
one will be 60 foolish. The Clerk OF the House
makes up roll of members-elect, calls the
House 10 order and presides until Speaker is
chosen, and no one is until afterwards.
and no name can be removed from the roll until
the House IL fully organized. After the Speaker
Is chosen the oath is administered 10 him by
Judge Kelley, the oldest member of the House.
and then the Speaker proceeds to swear in the